In this article, we review FiiO’s new budget wireless DAC/AMP, the BTR13, retailing for $69 USD.
Disclaimer: FiiO provided the FiiO BTR13 for review at no cost. As always, this review reflects my unbiased experience with the product.
FiiO Company
Known for its dedication to designing high-quality audio equipment, FiiO is a cornerstone of the global audiophile market. Since its launch in 2007, FiiO has specialized in the design and development of a wide range of audio products. With an extensive distribution network spanning continents, FiiO continues to deliver innovative products that resonate with music enthusiasts worldwide.
Today, we’re looking at the BTR13, the successor of the now-old BTR3K. Fans have waited over three years for this update. Let’s see if it was worth it. Over the years, we have reviewed and awarded a lot of FiiO equipment on Headfonia. You can access those reviews through this link: Headfonia FiiO Reviews.
FiiO BTR13 – Portable Bluetooth DAC & Amplifier
In 2024, FiiO has simplified its BTR series with a clear structure: the BTR13, the award-winning BTR15, and the upcoming BTR17, which will replace the BTR7 as the flagship. The BTR15, which I reviewed previously, was released in late 2023 and made waves among the audio community for its performance. Now, the BTR13 steps in as the newest entry-level offering. It is priced at $69 USD, and it’s been a long wait since the BTR3K’s release in 2020. While I don’t have a BTR3K on hand, I do have the rest of the BTR series to compare the BTR13 with.
The BTR13 features dual CS43131 DACs, which is a smart choice, as this chipset has become a go-to for good reason in 2024, balancing cost and performance for audio manufacturers. FiiO has also equipped it with a color 0.96-inch IPS display, making navigation much easier and giving you a more refined design aesthetic. This is a significant upgrade over the screenless BTR3K.
One of the stand-out features of the new BTR13 is the 3-mode physical switch, which allows easy toggling for multiple device use. FiiO also integrated the well-liked car mode of the BTR series into the BTR13, another handy addition.
FiiO hasn’t disclosed much about the amp’s internal specs, but from my experience with the series, the 220mW output into a 32Ω load via the 4.4mm balanced port, suggests that it can provide a good amount of juice to IEMs, even if we’re left in the dark on details. The BTR13 also comes equipped with the newer QCC5125 chip, supporting the latest hi-res wireless codecs LDAC and aptX Adaptive. Here’s a brief look at the specs & highlights below.
- Cirrus Logic CS43131×2 Dual DAC Configuration
- Qualcomm QCC5125 Bluetooth 5.1 Bluetooth Chipset
- AAC/SBC/aptX/aptX LL/aptX Adaptive/aptX HD/LDAC Codecs
- 3.5mm HPO 100mW@32Ω – 4.4MM HPO 220mW@32Ω
- 0.96-inch IPS Color Display
- Phone / BT / PC – Physical Mode Switch
- 2-Step Gain L-H
- 16bit-96kHz PCM USB Decoding Limitation
- FiiO Control App Support with OTA FW Updates
- 10-band PEQ+GEQ (with all Bluetooth codecs and UAC)
- Microphones: Built-in Omnidirectional Mic for BL Voice Call
- Battery: 460 mAh Li-Po (7-10h Battery Life)
- Dimensions & Weight: Approx. 63×30×18mm – 28gr
- BTR13’s dedicated web page can be found here. No driver needed.
- I recommend checking out FiiO’s FAQ section for more information.
Packaging & Accessories
The BTR13 comes with packaging similar to that of the BTR15. A two-tone design with a white and light blue aesthetic. The front has a photo of the device itself and carries hi-res badges along with the model name, and the back lists some of the specs along with certification badges and FiiO’s company address. A QR with the FiiO webpage can also be found here.
Upon sliding off the cover, you are greeted by a high-density foam compartment that holds the BTR13 in place. Along with the device, you get a short USB-C to USB-C interconnect cable and a fabric sling that can be attached to the back of the BTR13’s clip. Unfortunately, the unit does not come with a case or a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
Design & Build Quality
The BTR13 takes many design cues from the rest of the BTR series but with a switch to a plastic body instead of aluminum. While this change results in a lighter device, it feels noticeably different in the hand, especially compared to my long-time friend, BTR15. The plastic construction, combined with the glass front panel and those signature curved edges, maintains the usual BTR aesthetic from afar. Overall, despite using more budget-friendly materials, I find the BTR13’s design good.
FiiO has conveniently placed all the buttons, switches, and controls on the right side of the unit, which makes one-handed operation intuitive. However, the clip mechanism is a personal con, as I don’t really like using clips. The device comes with a non-removable clip that nearly doubles the thickness of the device. While the clip itself serves its purpose well for attaching the BTR13 to pockets or straps for those who use clips, I really wish we had the option to attach and detach it to the device’s chassis.
The display is a significant improvement over the BTR3K. FiiO has included a 0.96-inch IPS screen, which I see as a huge step forward in terms of functionality. The display shows important information such as sample rate, volume, and battery status, making it easy to monitor and navigate menus without having to rely on the FiiO Control App. The inclusion of a menu system is also a big plus. Navigating through settings and functions directly on the unit is easy with the physical buttons. The ‘3’ series is finally on par with the 5 and 7 series in this regard.
The BTR13 is both compact and lightweight at just 28 grams, making it highly portable. It is comparable in size to a cigarette lighter for reference. While you shouldn’t expect the premium feel of the BTR15, I still find the build quality good for its price range. Oh, and the BTR13 comes in two colors: black and blue. My review unit is the black version.
The review continues on Page Two, after the click HERE or by using the jump below.
Page 1: FiiO, BTR15, Packaging & Accessories, Design & Build Quality,
Page 2: Amplitude & Chipset, Features & Control, Comparative Sound & Performance, Last Words
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